Letter to The Day-Marshall Collins

East Lyme and Salem voters should hold Rep. Nick Menapace accountable for receiving bipartisan condemnation for abusive and inappropriate actions at the Capitol.

Menapace was humiliated by his own Democratic Speaker of the House for internet comments he posted, falsely accusing Rep. Greg Howard of harassment. Menapace slammed Howard on the internet, not in debate for supporting an amendment opposing Menapace’s position. Menapace ranted that Howard harasses people because he is a policeman and that it’s the job of the police to oppress people.

Speaker Matt Ritter condemned Menapace’s comments: “Everyone is brave in the middle of the night on social media …” House Minority Leader Vin Candelora called Menapace a coward. No legislator supported Menapace.

Menapace further disgraced himself when he physically abused an elderly female legislative employee by grabbing her arm and notes that she was taking. Speaker Ritter took unprecedented action by ordering Menapace “to have no further contact with sessional legislative staff for two weeks.”

Finally, frustrated with a female Republican representative who was droning on in opposition to a bill Menapace supported, Menapace said, “If she doesn’t stop talking, I’d like to punch her in the face.” He denied the comment. No one supported his denial.

Voters should hold Nick Menapace accountable for: false and abusive internet stereotyping of individuals (and the police), physical abuse of an elderly woman and joking about political violence. Multiple incidents, no support from colleagues and no apology demonstrate that Menapace doesn’t deserve public office.

Marshall Collins

Salem